Hi, remember me? Sorry I haven't updated in a while, exams were looming over my head. Thank you to Athenais777, rhmac12, F Maurice and Sarden for reviewing and to ObsessedRHShipper as usual who is my wonderful beta.

The title of this chapter was partly inspired by the song Circles by Passenger, as was this chapter.

CHAPTER TWENTY- ONE

oOo

Two years later

Ron had just finished his night shift at the Ministry and was making his way to St. Mungo's. He had been promoted last month and had to pull extra hours all the time. Harry had been promoted too, after an old Auror retired and Harry had helped catch the traitor Marcus Lee and Joseph Lee. His team had cornered them in an old barn; they were expecting to meet Warrington and were planning to tell him to bomb St. Mungo's. The bastards were finally in Azkaban to Ron's relief but he didn't care about them. Their capture meant nothing because the thing he did care about was Hermione and she was still in her coma. His research had come to many dead ends, and he had owled different Healers specialising in memory and comatose patients but not much had experience with the Cruciatus Curse, to his dismay.

"Hermione, wake up for the Birthday Boy?" he asked, his voice laced with hope, he'd asked her on every occasion, whether it was someone's birthday or Halloween. He lay down beside her again; he didn't do it as often as he liked. After the first time he was discovered, the nurses kept an eye on him. But they had grown to trust him, and since it was his birthday, they felt they should go away.

Hermione was thinner, if that was even possible. Her bushy hair stayed and he ran his hand through it, sighing. "Come on, Hermione. I miss you and I'm willing to bet you miss me too." He kissed her head, "Wake up soon, yeah, maybe not today but tomorrow would be nice or the day after that, or now."

As he closed his eyes, he commented, "Right, goodnight and a bloody happy birthday to me."

oOo

The sun pouring through the window woke Ron up. As he slowly opened his eyes, he noticed something.

A pair of brown eyes. Open and watching him.

"Hermione?! You're awake. Oh bloody hell." He pinched his arm in case this was a cruel dream. He had a numerous number of those over the last two years so when the pain stung his arm, his eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak but no sound came from it. "Fuck! You must be thirsty." He scrambled carefully away from her, conjured a cup, and filled it with water. He helped her sit up and slowly tipped the water. He hit the assistance button and shortly Healer Freeland came in while he entwined Hermione's fingers in his.

"Well, this is exciting news. Mr Weasley, please release her hand. Hermione, I'm not sure if you still remember, but I'm your Healer. I'll be performing some checks." She smiled towards them both, walked to the side of the bed, and started performing complex healing spells that assessed her condition. "Any pain, Hermione? Use your eyes to tell me." Hermione did so, rolling her eyes from side to side.

"Well, it seems that you are not in danger of falling into another coma; brain activity levels are above normal but everything else is fine. Your muscles will not be up to scratch due to the long period of rest, so I'll prescribe potions. Vocal chords will return soon, but again I'll give another potion to speed that up. We'll check your memory when your voice returns." She paused as she jotted down her observations. "But for now. Welcome back, Hermione." She said before she walked out to get the potions.

"Hermione." Ron grinned. "I'm so glad you're back." He kissed her forehead and the corners of her lips upturned ever so slightly.

oOo

After Hermione had consumed the numerous potions, she had fallen sleep again. She had tried to stay awake, watching Ron tentatively as he watched her. Her brown eyes searched his face. He looked older and she was unsure how much time had passed. She tried to tell him something but the effect of the potions wasn't instantaneous and instead a scratchy groan was emitted from her throat. Ron had put a finger to her lips and smiled.

He was now sending his little Yorkshire terrier to his mum so she could contact everyone about Hermione, before conjuring a bunch of tulips to place into the blue vase on the side table. He sat back down in his chair in slight awe. She had withstood so much pain under the Cruciatus curse - so much pain - yet she still woke up. While he had to wait to find out whether her memory was intact, he had long realised that any Hermione, old or young, with full memory or with amnesia, would be better than no Hermione. He stretched his hand out and stroked the bushy hair atop of her head. She let out a tiny sigh at the contact and Ron wondered yet again what their future path would be like.

He was interrupted by the knock on the door and the arrival of a healer from reception. Ron made his way across the room and opened the door where the witch informed him of the arrival of his mum and Percy. Everyone else must be unable to get away from work.

His mum embraced him, a strong embrace as tears threatened to fall from her eyes. "Oh, Ron, this is wonderful."

Percy nodded at him, words unneeded. When Hermione awoke again, her voice had returned slightly and her muscles felt much better already. Ron helped prop her up against the headboard.

"Hello, Ron," she sounded quietly, "Mrs. Weasley and Percy." Mrs. Weasley immediately swooped in for a hug.

"Hermione." She smiled pulling back to look at Hermione. "So brave and so innocent. As soon as you're allowed out, you must come back to the Burrow. I don't know what they've been feeding you. Look, you're far too skinny and there's no colour in your cheeks." Ron quickly rolled his eyes behind her back, but Hermione caught the end of it and for some strange reason blushed. She tried to hide it by smiling and nodding to Mrs. Weasley.

"I'm glad you're back with us, Hermione. I think I speak for all of us when I say your presence was sorely missed." Percy added.

"Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Perce." Ron interjected from the chair beside her bed.

"How long have I been in a coma for?"

"Just over two years," Percy informed her while Ron answered, "898 days."

"Oh." she whispered in shock. While part of her thought this was such a long time, she knew that she had heard of people who have stayed in comas for, say ten years. However, she felt guilty, causing pain to them.

"Yup." Ron replied. "A big 'oh' is right." An awkward silence filled the room briefly.

"Well, it's nearly one and I need to meet with the Minister. Shall I inform him of the good news?" asked Percy.

Hermione was unsure, so she looked to Ron.

"Sure, but don't let everyone know, I don't want a hundred reporters around here. Oh and can you let him know I'll pop in later?"

"Righty-ho, Ron. Bye Hermione,"

"I better leave as well, dears; no doubt you want a good old chin-wag. I'll bring some nutritious food for you later. Do you have a preference?"

"Anything is fine, Mrs. Weasley."

"Hermione, you call me Molly, understand. You and Harry are always so formal when we're all family." She shook her head. "I'll be back around five-thirty. You look after her Ronnie." She gave a hug to both before returning home.

"So."

"So?"

"So - so do you remember stuff from before that car accident?" he asked cautiously.

"Er... not everything. But the things I remember are muddled."

Disheartened, he said, "Well okay, we have time to sort through it."

She took his hand in hers. "I remembered some things; but with others, I can't tell whether they happened or whether I imagined them."

"You could always ask me."

"Right. Did we or did we not fall asleep in the common room in our fifth year?"

"We did. You were helping me with my Potions essay and you looked so beautiful I hardly focused on my essay." His trademark Weasley blush returned but not in its full force.

"And then the following morning, Neville woke us up." He nodded and she smiled.

"What about this. Did we go ice-skating with Harry after the war?"

"Ice skating? No. That's your imagination."

"But it seemed so real."

"Dreams always seem real, until reality is better," he spoke knowingly.

"Do you still live in our flat?" she asked tentatively.

"Of course." The corners of her lips tilted up. "Didn't want to pack your library up alone. I'll leave that to you, for when we decide to move." He added, "but we'll take one step at a time, yeah?"

"That sounds like a good idea. How is everyone? I've missed so much. Did Harry and Ginny get married?" She gestured to the numerous photographs on her bedside table.

"Yeah, they wanted you to be there, but your parents gave a video recorder so you can watch the whole thing."

"Thank you. So how are my parents?"

"Oh they're fine, still working in their dental practice, and I go round there every fortnight and they come here once or twice a week. Mum rang them using dad's telephone. They should be here after they finish work tonight; they couldn't get away sooner."

"Brilliant. I miss them. I miss everyone, especially you."

"Yeah, feeling's mutual there."

"Definitely. You have to tell me how everyone else is. How's George? Harry? Ginny? Bill? Charlie? Your dad?"

"No idea where to start. I guess I should start with..." He spent the good part of an hour explaining how everyone was and what they were doing now before his stomach rumbled. He nipped down to get them lunch and popped home to get his chessboard. After lunch, Hermione lost dismally to Ron who teased her as usual. She made the mistake of asking how the Cannons were doing and was treated to a long tirade of play-by-plays.

She listened intently for a couple of minutes before her attention began to wane over to his bright blue eyes and the way his lips moved. After ten minutes of 'listening,' she mustered up the strength to lean over and kiss him briefly on his lips. He stopped speaking and sat in shock.

"Is that the best way to stop a rambler?"

"Depends on who's rambling really."

"You're right. I don't want you stopping anyone else like that."

"And I don't want you stopping anyone like that either, so I'm glad we're on the same page."

"Back to the book analogies, are we?"

"Perhaps but what's wrong with a book analogy?" Hermione asked seriously.

"Oh nothing but answering my questions with a question, are we?"

"Yes, but you'll lose, won't you?"

"Of course, Hermione always wins, doesn't she?"

"Referring to me in third person, are we?"

"It's mature isn't it?" Ron retorted in their little game.

"I think you're definitely mature, don't you agree?"

"I agree, so have you remembered anything new or have anything to ask?"

"Well there is one thing? Would you mind answering or even better, helping me with it?"

"I'll always be helpful, Mione. What is it?"

"Would you - help refresh my memory a little?" Ron raised an eyebrow. "I can't remember whether your lips are as soft as they look." She blushed under his hungry gaze and they met midway, lips crashing together, then gently moving over the other. Ron was treating her like a china doll, his hand rested lightly on her neck as if she would shatter at any moment.

Hermione was the one to break it off, out of breath. It was a good thing she was seated; her knees felt like jelly and there were those butterflies in her stomach. "I win." She smirked.

"You cheated and I thought you were above that! But technically, I won." She raised her eyebrow. "I got a prize, didn't I? A kiss with the most brilliant person, ever." She blushed.

"Hmm, I think we'll call it a draw. Besides, I didn't cheat."

"You totally cheated, Granger!"

"No, you didn't have to comply."

"Woah, break it up. You've only been awake for a while and you're already at it!" A new voice interjected. During their bickering, they hadn't heard her parents, dressed quite casually, enter into the room.

"Mum! Daddy!"

"Hermione, we've missed you do much." Mrs. Granger exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around her daughter, instantly being joined by Mr. Granger. Ron stood to let them sit down.

"How do you feel, sweetheart?"

"Much better now that you're here," Hermione grinned.

"Your perky mood hasn't got anything to do with Ron then." she asked knowingly. Both averted eye contact and Mrs. Granger chuckled. "So do you have side effects?"

"I still only have some memories back, and some other things, which seem real so it's a bit hard to sort out but I guess I'm back to normal. No physical therapy like you would in a hospital as I have potions to help recover my strength."

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so glad you're back. I knew these Death Eaters were a nasty piece of work, but I never expected any Auror to betray their own. However, Ron here," he placed his hand on his shoulder, "assures me everything is better and that you are much safer now." Mr Granger told her as he squeezed her hand. "This boy's had a whopping three promotions in the last two years, did he tell you?"

"No, but I know he deserved them." She knew he was capable if he set his mind to something. His potential was high and that was one of the reasons she pushed him at school; well that and her infatuation. She made a mental note to ask why he hadn't told her himself.

"And, daddy, he's hardly a boy anymore."

"Oh, darling," her mother laughed. "Anyone you ever date will be a boy to your dad."

"Come on, Hayley, slip of the tongue. And technically, he is a boy. You know how I love technicalities." He smiled warmly at his wife who rolled her eyes and turned to Hermione.

"When are you getting out of here, Hermione?"

Hermione answered and found herself repeating the answer not long after Harry and Ginny turned up and again when George accompanied his mum. As the room was becoming crowded and noisy, Ron escorted the Grangers home, before visiting the Ministry. But he hardly cared now that Hermione was back. Perhaps he would take an extended holiday.

oOo

It was later that night when Ron returned to the hospital. Hermione had been warned, by Patronus, not to wait up. She found it entertaining to watch the little dog before it disappeared into silver wisps. She expected it to be difficult to wait for Ron to return, but with George telling her funny stories about their new lines of products, she found it wasn't hard at all. When Ron came back, after completing his modest pile of paperwork, George stood to go, and with a small nod, Ron thanked him.

"Only three more days and you'll be back home." He grinned, taking her hand. "How're you feeling?" He took the chair George had just vacated.

"Tired, confused, better. And yourself?"

"Definitely better than I have been."

"Happy birthday, for yesterday," she added kissing the back of his hand, "for last year, and the year before." She kissed each hand. He simply squeezed her hand in thanks.

"Come and sit beside me, Ron." She shifted over on the hospital bed. He willingly complied and she leaned on his shoulder. "Tell me why you didn't mention your promotions? Why haven't I heard much about you today from you?"

"Technically I did tell you when they actually happened," he said and Hermione rolled her eyes. "I didn't want you to feel as if I've moved on without you. It's what I felt sometimes, when you went back to Hogwarts and I was stuck selling jokes. Yes, it was fun, but it wasn't what I wanted to do. And I worry about that fact I might have changed a lot since everything happened and what if you don't like the 'new' me or what if you finally realise -"

"That you're not good enough for me? Ron, we've been through this. I don't care if you can be the world's biggest prat in one moment and then be sweet in the next moment. I'm remembering things, most things are about you - and us. That has to be worth something to you because you need to understand this and stop doubting yourself."

"But you need to know you're not obliged to stay with me because we're engaged, or because I waited two years for you, okay?" he asked nervously.

"If I wanted out, I would have already said so. I definitely wouldn't have invited you to sit here, nor would I have kissed you earlier."

"Good point," he conceded.

"Well done on these three promotions; how far up the ladder are you then?"

"Third in command of the Auror Department's Tactics Unit."

"Well-deserved, I'm sure of that." He smiled sheepishly and she yawned. "Maybe I should take my potions and get to sleep; it's what, ten-thirty already?" Ron slid off the bed and reached for her potions; he passed each one, each time patiently waiting for her grimace before handing her another. She thanked him before sending him home with a plate of his mum's Spaghetti Carbonara and garlic bread. While she didn't comment on his look of disappointment, she kissed him soundly and told him she would be eagerly awaiting his return. He gave her one of those beautiful boyish grins as he reluctantly closed the door.

So it's what you've all been waiting for, she's back with the land of living. Let me know what you think!

WMAL x